Elks Plan Community Thanksgiving Dinner At Center Lake Pavilion
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
This Thanksgiving will mark the 29th year the Elks Club has offered a free community Thanksgiving dinner.
The dinner was started by Ray Compton, who owned Compton's Furniture Store on Center Street. Compton no longer lives in Kosciusko County, but the tradition of the Elks Club holding the dinner has continued.Alice Schooley, Elks Club member, assisted Compton with the first dinner in 1980 when there were 139 people served.
She will be one of many Elks Club members and community volunteers who will serve the meal on Thanksgiving Day this year.
The dinner will be Nov. 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Center Lake Pavilion, 119 E. Canal St, Warsaw.
Tables will be set up at the pavilion for anyone in the community to sit to eat their Thanksgiving dinner. Carry-out and delivery also will be available.
Elks members and volunteers will cook turkey and ham Nov. 25 at American Legion Post 49 and it will be transported to Center Lake Pavilion to serve.
The menu will include turkey, ham, stuffing, dressing, mashed potatoes, green beans, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, pies, and orange drink and coffee.
There were more than 700 meals served last year and the Elks Club is prepared to serve 900 meals this year, according to Teresa Evans and Dan Brumfield, who are serving as co-chairs for this years meal.
The Elks have purchased 38 turkeys as of Monday afternoon and will have 100 pounds of ham.
Local businesses were sent letters requesting funds to pay for the dinner. Businesses also have donated turkeys and pies.
"It is sad to think a person would not have anywhere to go or anyone to eat with on Thanksgiving," said Donna Durso, Elks manager.
She said the dinner provides an opportunity for people to gather at Center Lake Pavilion and have company on the holiday.
Volunteers are needed for serving, clean-up and delivery. To volunteer or to pre-order a Thanksgiving meal call the Elks Lodge at 574-267-7802. People can pre-order meals now until Thanksgiving morning.
